Ronaldo wary of facing France in play-offs

Cristiano Ronaldo admits he is wary of potentially facing France in a World Cup qualifying play-off after Portugal's 1-1 draw with Israel all-but-ended their chances of automatic qualification.

The Seleccao succumbed to a late Eden Ben Basat goal, meaning that a draw for Russia in Azerbaijan on Tuesday will be enough to see them clinch top spot in Group F after they beat Luxembourg 4-0.

While Portugal can still mathematically snatch the automatic spot, Ronaldo conceded his side are almost certain to be facing a play-off.u00a0“It’s not a drama to be in the play-offs,” he told A Bola. “It’s become normal, it’s not a surprise because that’s what has happened to us in recent years.

(Automatic qualification) is mathematically possible but not up to us. We must be content to play the play-off. Hopefully, we’ll now get a bit of luck and not get a complicated team. The only team I wouldn’t like to face is France.” — Goal.com

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